Often in the Gasette, we talk about using a qualified licensed contractor to work on, install or service gas appliance in your home. But you may be wondering, "What is a licensed contractor and just what makes one qualified?".
Whether a contractor is installing an expensive furnace or just performing an annual inspection on an appliance, you want the job done right. Here are a few things to consider when hiring a contractor that will help you determine if they are qualified for the job.
1. References
Have you checked the references of the contractor you are about to hire? if not, you could be taking a chance. Ask your friends and family to reccomend a contractor to work on your home. If you don't elicit any ideas there, ask the contractor for references. A contractor who can't provide refrences is not a person to do business with.
2. Training
Does the company provide traing to its employees on the appliance you are asking them to work on/ Often, equipment manufacturers
or technical schools offer seminars or classes to train contractors on installing, repairing, maintaing and servicing gas appliances.
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3. Insurance
Any company that you do business with should have insurance- both liability, to protect your property damage, and workers' compensation, to protect their employees if they become injured on your property.
4. Licenses
Many types of contractors, like HVAC contractors, must have a license to operate in Georgia, and possibly in the counties and cities where they work. Contact the Georgia Department of Labor to determine if the contractor you are about to hire is required to have a license.
5. Service
If you are about to buy a new appliance, make sure that the contractor you choose to install it can service the product as well.
6. Thorough
Does the contractor take time to answer your questions? If they can't take time to answer a few questions, it's not likely they will take the time to do a thourough job.
7. Knowledge
A good contractor will perform necessary calculations on your home when installing certain new appliances, such as a furnace. Of course, your intuition will often tell you if a contractor is knowledgeable.
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Natural Gas Myths
The Myth
Having a carbon Monoxide (CO) detector in the house will protect me againste CO poisoning.
The Truth
A CO detector is only helpful if it functions properly. That means checking the batteries every six months and changing them when needed. You also need to replace you CO detecter according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually after five years.
The Myth
Buying more efficient appliences will immediately save me money and reduce my gas bill
The Truth
More efficent appliances only save you money if they are properly sized for your home and your uses. And while energy efficient appliances save money in the long run, the ratio of return on your investment could take a while - which means don't expect to see a drastic drop in your bill, instead, look at the long term investment of a new appliance.
The Myth
All gas marketers charge the same price for natural gas.
The Truth
The price of gas varies from marketer to marketer, sometimes with a significant difference between the lowest and the highest price. Marketers charge differnt rates for the amount of gas you use as well as customer service charges. Walton
EMC Natural Gas is consistantly one of the lowest prices marketers visit psc.state.ga.us to compare our rates with other marketers.
The Myth
Paying a lower price for natural gas means i have to sacrifice service.
The Truth
Having the lowest price does't have to mean that you get poor customer service. In March, Walton EMC usually some of the lowerst prices and, last month, had zero customer service complaints to the Public Service Commission (PSC), the governing body for natural gas marketers. In fact, Walton EMC Natural Gas typically has some of the fewst complaints amoung all the marketers.
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